NASCAR moved quickly to address controversy at North Wilkesboro Speedway after Ryan Preece was penalized during the All-Star Open, prompting officials to repaint the choose V on the track ahead of Sunday’s main event. The action was taken after Preece, penalized for running over the choose V and eliminated from the race, explained he simply couldn’t see the marking, raising concerns about fairness and visibility that spread rapidly through the NASCAR community.
Ryan Preece’s penalty was decisive—costing him his P2 position and a potential berth in the prestigious All-Star Race, a loss that he and many observers attributed to a basic failure in track visibility. The issue emerged after the preceding Whelen Modified race laid down heavy rubber, which obscured the crucial choose cone on the asphalt. NASCAR acknowledged the problem, with NBC Sports’ Dustin Long confirming that officials responded by repainting the marking to ensure all drivers would have a clear view during the 250-lap, $1 million feature event.
Preece’s frustration was immediate and deeply felt. Angered by the penalty, he walked to the infield, picked up a traffic cone, and delivered it to the frontstretch as a pointed statement to officials and fans. Addressing reporters, Ryan Preece expressed both regret and exasperation:
“I think it’s a cone that’s nonexistent. So, if you’re gonna, I don’t know… can’t even see it right now,”
he explained, adding,
“A rule is a rule, I understand that, but I mean, at the end of the day I made a mistake. So, just frustrated with the outcome or the decision.”
This season, Ryan Preece has been a prominent figure. Piloting the No. 60 car for RFK Racing in his first year with the team, he stands 15th in the points standings, consistently showing speed, as he did at North Wilkesboro. Yet this latest incident, marred by a controversial penalty, leaves him questioning what could have been. After the race, Preece summed up his mood in raw terms:
“Sorry, I’m just really, really fu*king pissed. So, I mean that, at least we coulda, a rule is a rule, but… I don’t know.”
The significance of NASCAR’s swift adjustment is difficult to overstate, as it aims to prevent similar controversies and uphold the integrity of competition. With millions of dollars, reputations, and emotions on the line, Ryan Preece’s experience forced officials to confront a glaring flaw, one that could have jeopardized results for any driver. Going forward, both drivers and fans will watch closely to see if the improved visibility at North Wilkesboro averts future frustration and ensures fair racing for all.
